Soil auger



Nov. 3, 1953 Fig. l

F. E. FLEMING SOIL AUGER Filed Oct. 4, 1950 /4 IIIIH mill 1o Emm Frank E. Fleming I n veutor Patented Nov. 3, 1953 ll'lhl n Little Mrb, m

fifty lper cent to Thomas J. Eby, North Little R are This inventim comprises novel and in: movements in a soil and more specifically pertains to :a soil sampling auger for removing and retaining acore or sample or the soil thrown the saga passes for or the core.

efiectively securing and retaining a core of this soil through which the auger passes for sampling the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a soil auger as set forth in the preceding object, in which the auger may be readily opened for releasing the core sample secured thereby after the auger has been removed from the hole, but which will prevent the openmg of the auger while the same is in the hole.

Yet another object of the invention '5' taprovide an improved soil samplingauger in conformity with the preceding objects in which relatively fixed and movable complementary auger blades are pivotally connected together in an improved and simplified manner for the operation intended.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved soil sampling auger in accordance with this invention, the same being shown with the auger blades in their closed position and taken from the front of the movable blade;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the movable blade in its open position;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the section line 44 of Figure 1 and illustrates the manner in which the fixed and movable auger blades are operatively connected with the hub of the auger assembly;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional detail view through the auger blades in their closed position and looking towards the cutting teeth of the blades.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be apparent that the auger forming the 'ttcncwsists-ciahob which is preferably at a cylindrical and he ct any mitotic this hub hem an axially elem threaded or bore i2 adapted to receive the extended extremity eterod N by means of which the auger may be rotated during its use. A: it will be readily by the auger rotating means may be Jen is desired semi cylindrical section 18 having a plane or face '20 disposed along the longitudinal axis 01 the hub, this cut away recess providing, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, an arcuately extending convexly-shaped dependent and upwardly and inwardly inclined bearing or locking surface 22. It will be seen that the lower side of this inclined surface is disposed downwardly of the hub portion l0.

A pivot block 24, which is removed in the forming of the cut away portion, is received within the cut away portion, this pivot block in effect constituting a solid which is equal in shape and size to the cut away portion and snugly fits within the cavity or recess of the same. The upper surface of the block 24 is provided with a concave bearing surface, shown at 26, this surface being in every way complementary to the surface 22.

The block 24 is pivotally connected to the hub portion I 8 as by a pivot pin 28.

Fixedly secured to the diametrically reduced cylindrical portion I 8 of the depending portion I8 of the hub I0, is the semi-cylindrical shank 30 of a fixed auger blade 32. As shown best in' Figure 3, the blade 32 is laterally offset from the shank 30 so as to drill an auger hole having ample clearance for the shank portion of the auger bit.

The shank 30 is fixedly secured to the depending portion l8 of the hub by the above mentioned pivot pin 28, and by a rivet 34 which has one head countersunk or fiush with the plane surface 20 of the portion I 8. A similar shank 38 of a movable auger blade 38 is secured in the diametrically reduced cylindrical portion I6 01 the hub arcuately extending as l0, this blade being likewise secured by the pivot pin 28 to the pivot block 24, and to the depending hub portion l8. A further rivet 40 disposed in alignment with the rivet 34, fixedly secures the movable auger blade shank 38 to the pivot block 24, this rivet likewise being provided with a recessed head whereby the pivot block and its head will have smoothly sliding contact across the plane surface 20 and the rivet head of the hub portion l8.

As more clearly shown in Figure 4, the upper end of the shank 36 of the movable auger blade extends upwardly above the lower edge of the inclined surface 22 in constitutes a closure for the same.

At their lower ends, the complementary fixed and movable auger blades 32 and 38 are provided with sets of cutting teeth 42, which are appropriately shaped so that upon rotation of the tool about its longitudinal axis, these teeth will cut through the soil and force a portion of the same into the space between the blades whereby a core or sample of soil will be received therein and retained for removal thereby. It will be noted that the relatively inclined arcuately extending bearing of locking surfaces 22 and 26, together with the engagement of the auger blades 32 and 38 with the sides of the hole being drilled will effectively prevent opening of the auger until the same has been removed irom the hole. At that time, the movable blade may be positioned as shown in Figure 2 whereby the core or sample may be removed for ready examination.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and iurther explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the the hub portion Ill and 5 or said hub and .4 invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to. falling within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

In a soil sampling auger having a solid hub, a fixed and a movable auger blade carried by said hub, said blades having cutting teeth on their lower ends: an improved connection bewhat is tween said hub and blades including the hub having a lower end and being out both along a diametrical plane through a longitudinal axis a transverse plane to form a depending portion, the in the form 01' cut away portion and a portion which is removed being a block, said block being positioned in said cut away portion and secured to said depending portion by a single pivot pin, said fixed blade being secured to said depending portion and said movable blade being secured to said block, said pivot pin extending through and connecting together both blades, said block, and said depending portion of said hub, and additional pins securing said movable blade'and said fixed blade to said block and said depending portion, respectively, said additional pins being above said pivot pin and in alignment with each other when said blades are in operating position.

FRANK E. FLEMING.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

